Packet tag for support of remote network function/packet classification

Abstract

A method and system for creating an ethernet-formatted packet from an upstream DOCSIS packet. The upstream packet is first received along with packet characteristic data that is contained in physical layer prepend data and in the packet header. A packet tag is then created, based on the packet characteristic data. The packet characteristic data includes identifiers for the transmitting remote device and the channel over which the transmission is sent. Packet characteristic data also includes information about the physical characteristics of the transmission signal, such as the power level and time offset. The packet characteristic data also includes administrative information, such as the minislot count at which the packet is received and whether the packet was received in contention. The packet tag is appended to the payload of the upstream packet. Also appended to the payload is an encapsulation tag, and source and destination address headers. The result is a packet in an ethernet format. The resulting packet can therefore be sent using the ethernet protocol. The packet includes information that characterizes a DOCSIS packet. In a distributed cable modem termination system, this additional characterizing information can be used by processes further upstream, such as packet classification. An analogous operation can take place with respect to packets going downstream. Here, a DOCSIS packet is formed at an intermediate node, on the basis of a received ethernet-formatted packet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 261,272, filed Jan. 12, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND SEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX / SEQUENCE LISTING / TABLE / COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The invention described herein relates to communications systems, and more particularly to packet processing.[0006]2. Background Art[0007]In modem digital communications systems, communicating entities need to have a common, predetermined set of protocols and parameters. Given these protocols and parameters, the entities can communicate in an orderly, efficient manner. Such protocols and parameters are typically implemented according to general functionality. The various functions are often modeled and implemented as multiple layers ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more

Problems solved by technology

First, relatively few remotes are connected to any given intermediate node.

A conversion problem remains, however.

Communications between intermediate nodes and the headend, however, would use the ethernet protocol, which cannot typically handle a DOCSIS packet.

A secondary problem arises in the fact that information stored in the PHY prepend and in the header fields of a DOCSIS packet is needed at the headend for packet classification and other administrative functions.

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